Living well in the urban village

Sensory Blanket

We have a family member suffering from advanced dementia, and this is the second blanket I’ve made for her. The first one was the size of a cot blanket, whereas this one is lap sized, and will hopefully provide both warmth and distraction.

Dementia, particularly as it advances, is an incredibly tragic and heartbreaking disease. For some sufferers, one of the later symptoms is an almost constant need to touch and fiddle with things, which is where these blankets, also known as fidget blankets, can help. The ones I’ve made aren’t particularly pretty, but as there isn’t a lot written about them on the internet, I wanted to share mine with you in case others with loved ones with a similar condition might find the idea useful.

In this larger piece, I’ve sewn bits and pieces (found in my sewing room) onto the upper edge of the blanket. The base is made of red polarfleece, which is both warm and lightweight. I’ve tried to work in a combination of elements that allow “doing” with some that are designed just for “touching”.

There is a long zip pocket for opening and closing, as well as a button flap (the button is sewn on with dental floss for security)…

A small drawstring bag is half-stitched in, enabling it to be opened and closed…

On the tactile front, I’ve sewn in a patch of non-slip fabric, originally bought for the soles of baby shoes (which goes to show how long it’s been in my sewing room), and a patch of embossed velvet. For added interest, I’ve sewn a small triangle into the velvet, and trapuntoed it from the back to create a little raised pillow…

A scrap of fur salvaged from Reverse Garbage…

…and some stiff braid add textural interest…

This old snap-lock came from Big Boy’s baby sling! I’ve also added little pieces of suede fringing…

As I mentioned, this is the second blanket – the first, smaller one was filled with many of the same components, and has been very successful.

49 Responses

That’s great to be able to make something practical and soothing for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. I don’t remember ever hearing of these before but from my limited experience of the disease it sounds like an excellent idea, imbued with your personal energy and history it must seem like a talisman. There are many strangenesses about this disease. I read something only at the weekend about how one’s emotions persist, even if one has forgotten what triggered them. So someone who is very sad because in a moment of lucidity they have been disappointed by something, then forgets what they are disappointed about, but the sadness continues. So by providing sensory comfort you are also providing emotional comfort too. Does that make sense? You are probably all way ahead of me on this, dealing with it on a day to day basis.

What a wonderful project. I hadn’t thought of doing anything like this, but I do have an older friend who is slowly losing touch and I would love to present her with one of these one day. Thanks so much for sharing, Celia- I am going to share your idea with some friends at church, as well!

Celia, this is just a brilliant idea. I worked with dementia patients for some years and loved every minute of it and something like this would be perfect – particularly for those who are no longer ambulant.

I’m going to link this post to my best friend. Her mother has been suffering from dementia for quite a while now. It may give her some ideas as she is very handy with a needle. You sound like such a thoughtful and kind lady Celia. God bless.

Thank you for the information. I don’t know anyone who needs this, but I am sure if I make one I will be able to find someone who needs it. It probably won’t take much effort to find it a home.
This is a wonderful idea and I hope to find time to make a few.
Thanks again

Celia, I work with people with dementia and their families, and am doing my thesis on dementia. It makes me sad how much stigma and ignorance still surrounds the illness, especially in non-Anglo communities, so seeing innovative, supportive people like you makes me have renewed faith in my work and raises hope that we will be able to do so much more for people with dementia in the future. If you don’t mind, I will be passing on this beautiful idea to other health professionals and carers as an example. :)

Thank you all – re-reading this post, I’m a little sheepish about how wonky the whole thing looks, but I had to make it in a rush yesterday, and I wanted to pass the idea on in case it helped someone else.

Amanda, Honey, thank you for the feedback – it’s encouraging to know that this sort of thing actually makes a difference. So often it feels like there’s nothing at all we can do. When I get some time, I’ll call the local nursing homes and see if they might have use for something like this – they don’t take long to make, and I have all sorts of bits and pieces still hanging around the sewing room.

The larger sized one was specifically requested, but I think in hindsight the cot-sized blanket is a great size – the whole thing can be covered with bits and bobs, and it fits well onto a lap or a table.

Thank you to all of you who’ve offered to share this idea with others!

My, My, My! What a wonderful thing!
I can’t wait to get started making one for my mother-in-law. She suffers with dementia & fusses with her blanket almost non-stop. I don’t know if it will help give her busy fingers & hands something to do , but it sure makes sense to me that it will create a pause in her mixed up mind…..Thank you, thank you!
T. Keith
Oregon

Last night I heard that a close relative had entered a home permanently due to the effects of Alzheimers. It’s hard to be far from home and this project is something I will bookmark to make for the future – something concrete I can do to help. Really appreciate your detailed instructions.

Oh dear, how sad this disease is. At least you can do something constructive to help. I can imagine that it would be comforting to have things to fiddle with on your lap. Let’s hope a cure is found for this wretched disease which robs people of their ability to live well.

I’ve not come across this before, what a simple yet lovely idea. I have known a number of people with alzheimers and other dementia and can quickly see how this would be so comforting. Thanks for sharing it.

Sally, I’m so sorry to hear about your family member, such a hard time, especially when you’re far away…

Deb, amen.

Kavey, I hope so. At the nursing home where our family member is, they have a “trinkets table”, where she can just sit and play. I can understand how soothing that is, as I’m always comforted by being able to make things with my hands.

Ailbhe, I’m sorry to hear about your MIL, the soft toy is a lovely idea. It really is a terrible disease…

Ooo, this is one of the things I worry about as I move into old age – my daughter, whose career is gerontology, tells me keeping the mind active is important, and is one of the reasons why I keep my blog up. But each time I forget where I put something, or how to spell a simple word, or whether or not I put the salt in the dough yet, I’m reminded just how close we all are to this tragedy – and I worry.

Hi Celia,
What a wonderful idea. I think this would also be very useful for children with asperges syndrome. From my dealings with children with this syndrome it seems they also have the fidget fingers.

What a fantastic idea Celia and how lovely of you to put it into action – twice. I didn’t know about the need to fiddle, but I do know about the agitation, so I can see how this would be helpful. That red is such a lovely warming colour too.

Celia, I left this post awhile to open, what with lots happening around me it was not a priority but so glad I caught it before I started deleting…what an amazing idea, I will bear in mind for anyone I hear about with relatives in need. Thank you.

Lovely idea Celia. You are so creative and resourceful. I love the idea of the blanket having bits and bobs that have been around since your kids were babies. Dementia is such a dreadful disease. Anything you can do to help someone suffering from it has got to be a good thing.

Thank you all – I hope all of you never have a need to make one of these, but if it helps you or someone you know or love in the future, then it will have been worth blogging about.

Mimi, I never thought about other uses for the blanket, but I do know the original brief was to make something akin to the little baby toys with different textures and activities (like the learn to tie a bow ones) that my boys had when they were little. The only proviso was that it shouldn’t make too much noise! :)

My parents both had dementia before they died and I had no idea about the need to fiddle with things (unfortunately I didn’t live close by either) so I shall certainly remember to tell others about this.

How lovely, I’m sure it will be much loved and appreciated. My nephew had something similar but with different textures when he was little because of his aspergers syndrome. He felt secure if he stroked or could feel different textures and still has a favourite kangaroo skin on his chair now he’s 20.

Shangri La, I don’t think all dementia patients are the same, but I do know some get very agitated and fidgety. I’m sorry to hear about your folks – it is such a difficult disease, it must have been brutal for both your parents to have it.. :(

What a wonderful idea. I’m filing this away for future reference–sincerely hoping I won’t need it for anyone close to me, but with so many older people in my extended family and community, worth keeping in mind.

Celia, thank you so much. My Mom is in a Dementia facility – it is a wonderful place with wonderful people but she has a real need to do “something” with her hands. Three days ago Mom fell and broke her hip – she is now confined to bed for six weeks. The need for her to have something to do is very important. We had been thinking all day when one of the aides said she had heard of “fiddle blankets”. After looking on the internet I found your web site. What a blessing to see one and get your ideas. I will start to work tomorrow trying to put one together for her. Thank you, thank you……….

Sharon, I’m sorry to hear about your mum, and really hope this helps in some small way. The smaller, cot-sized blanket might actually be more useful, because it can be used both in bed and also as a lap blanket for a wheelchair etc. Our very best wishes to you all – I know how hard this disease is to deal with. And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

My sister had down sydrome and she was always fidding with her hands and anything close by. She loved to shell peas and hull cracked pecans, loved playing with picture puzzles too. Wish I had thought of something like this for her to do when she got older and was unable to do the others!